Facts About Redbud Trees
The redbud tree is an ornamental deciduous plant, also sometimes called a Judas tree. The scientific name of the redbud is Cercis canadensis. The tree flowers in the spring and looks similar to a dogwood in bloom. Redbuds are small and easy to maintain. Does this Spark an idea?
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Physical Attributes
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Redbuds are small trees, topping out at 30 feet in height. The trunk divides close to the ground and the tree can span up to 35 feet wide. The buds of the redbud tree are not red as the name would assume, but a purple-lavender color. The flowers are a pink color, though some cultivars of the redbud produce white blooms. The leaves of the redbud tree are shaped like a heart. New leaves are red, which deepen into green over the summer and turn yellow in the autumn. The redbud tree produces a long, pod-like fruit that remains on the tree from the end of the summer through the winter.
Location
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The redbud tree grows primarily in the eastern half of the United States, as far north as the Great Lakes down to areas of Virginia and South Carolina. The tree can also be found in some areas of south Texas where the soil is not overly wet and boggy.
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Care
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Redbuds are easy to care for and maintain. The trees can be started in a container and transferred to the garden or yard, or grown in the ground from the start. The main soil requirement is adequate drainage; redbuds flourish in soils that are moist but well-drained without becoming flooded or swampy. Redbud trees can tolerate moderate shade but grow best in direct, full sunlight. Prune back low, thin branches before the winter to prevent breakage from heavy ice and snow.
Pests and Disease
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Canker disease is the primary problem associated with redbuds. Cankers are spots in which the tree has died due to injury. Punctures in the tree's bark lets in fungus which can cause part of the bark to die. Insect pests may also attack a redbud, including leaf hoppers, scales and caterpillars. Pests may be treated with chemical controls.
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References
- Photo Credit Ryan McVay/Lifesize/Getty Images
